American Journal of Astronomy and Astrophysics
2013; 1(2): 15-22
Published online August 10, 2013 (http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/j/ajaa)
doi: 10.11648/j.ajaa.20130102.11
The Saturn rings origin: contribution of electromagnetism
(to the unified theory of the origin of planetary rings)
Vladimir V. Cherny (Tchernyi)
Modern Science Institute at SAIBR, Moscow, Russia
Email address:
chernyv@mail.ru
To cite this article:
Vladimir V. Cherny (Tchernyi). The Saturn Rings Origin: Contribution of Electromagnetism (to the Unified Theory of the Origin of
Planetary Rings). American Journal of Astronomy and Astrophysics. Vol. 1, No. 2, 2013, pp. 15-22.
doi: 10.11648/j.ajaa.20130102.11
Abstract: Electromagnetic modeling and experimental data observation for Saturn’s rings points to the conjecture that
the particles constituting the rings may be superconductive. We also argue that the rings could be originated from the
protoplanetary cloud of particles if particles are superconducting. The rings system emerges some time after the magnetic
field of the planet is being formed. For example it can be a result of the interaction of the superconducting carbon doped ice
particles of the protoplanetary cloud with the nonuniform magnetic field. After a transition period as 1000 years or more,
all Keplerian orbits of the particles form a sombrero disc in the plane of the magnetic equator where there is a minimum of
magnetic energy. The gravitational resonances and other interactions also play an important role and they help bringing the
order to the system of rings and gaps. Electromagnetism and superconductivity helps us to understand why the rings appear
only for planets if they are located outside the asteroid belt that have a magnetic field and where the temperature is low
enough, such as Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. We end up with a unified theory of the formation of planetary rings.
The presented model allows enrich the well-known theories that treat gravitational, mechanical, gas-plasma, dusty plasma
and magnetohydrodynamic interactions in a consistent way.
Keywords: Saturn System, Saturn Rings Origin, Superconductivity of Saturn Rings, Origin of Planetary Rings,
Planetary Rings Electromagnetism, Planetary Rings Superconductivity, Space Electromagnetism,
Space Superconductivity
1. Introduction
Presently there are two versions of the Saturn rings
origin: rings were originated from the debris of the
asteroid-type body destroyed nearby the planet by gravity
and centrifugal forces, or the system of the rings was
formed from the particles of the protoplanetary cloud that
initially surrounded Saturn.
We attempt to show why the second model could work.
Namely, the rings appeared as a result of the
electromagnetic interaction of iced particles of the
protoplanetary cloud with the magnetic field of Saturn.
This could happen if particles possess superconductivity as
Saturn has a magnetic field and in its vicinity the
temperature is low enough, 70-110 K.
The proposed model further suggests that the ring
particles are relics of the early days of the Solar system,
and the particles were never subjected to excessive heating
and coalescence. We hope the presented model would
enrich classical theories of the rings origin such as
gravitational, mechanical, dusty plasma, gas-plasma, and
magnetohydrodynamic interactions in a consistent way.
G. Galileo (1610), Ch. Huygens (1665), G. Cassini
(1671), W. and G. Bond (1848), J.K. Maxwell (1859), S.
Kovalevskaya (1874) and others studied the Saturn rings
nature [1-21, 26-39]. Different ring systems are
morphologically quite distinct but all are shaped by a few
common processes. In fact, orbital resonances between
satellites, moons and ring particles play an important role
in forming a specific structure of the rings and gaps and
enhancing the influence of the satellites. An experimental
data confirmed importance of magnetohydrodynamic, gasplasma, dusty plasma and electromagnetic phenomena for
the rings nature.
For the first time the role of superconductivity for the
origin of Saturn rings was presented by A.Yu. Pospelov
and V.V. Tchernyi in 1995 and further [26-30], published
[31, 36] and discussed in detail [26-39]. Also we expect the
proposed model that assumes existence of a
16
Vladimir V. Cherny (Tchernyi): The Saturn Rings Origin: Contribution of Electromagnetism
superconducting fraction of the particles forming the
Saturn rings would allow enhancing classical theories of
the planetary rings.
Let’s go to the short history of the problem. H.
Kamerlingh Onnes discovered superconductivity in 1911.
In 1933 W. Meissner and R. Ochsenfeld found that a
superconducting material will repel a magnetic field. The
high-temperature superconductivity was discovered by J.G.
Bednorz and K.A. Muller in 1986 [22]. Superconductivity
of ice was experimentally demonstrated by A.N.
Babushkin et al in 1986 [23]. Superconductivity of C36 has
been conjectured in 1998 [24]. So, even 7% of a glassy
carbon composition of Saturn rings may contribute to its
superconductivity. In 2011 scientists lead by Deutscher G.
demonstrated how a superconductor disc is trapped in a
surrounding magnetic field, a phenomenon called
“Quantum Locking” and “Quantum Levitation” [40]. By
using the exceptional large scale superconductors they are
able to demonstrate a quantum effect that was never seen
and demonstrated this way.They showed how a disc frozen
with liquid nitrogen can be made to hover over a magnet in
any position.
2. Electromagnetic Modeling of the
Origin of Saturn Rings [32-35, 37-39]
2.1. Origin of the Rings from the Iced Particles of the
Protoplanetary Cloud
Prior to emergence of the Saturn magnetic field, all the
particles within the protoplanetary cloud are located on the
Keplerian orbits exhibiting a balance of the force of gravity
and the centrifugal force. With emergence of the Saturn
magnetic field the superconducting particles of the protoplanetary cloud begin to demonstrate an ideal
diamagnetism
(Meissner-Ochsenfeld
phenomenon).
Particles begin to interact with the magnetic field and all
the particles become involved in an additional azimuthorbital motion. Let’s estimate the result of this motion.
If the magnetic field of the planet is H and the planetary
magnetic moment is µ, then the magnetic field at any
particular point within the protoplanetary cloud located at
the distance r can be presented as:
H=
3 ⋅ r ⋅ (r, µ) µ
− 3
r5
r
(2.1)
Then the superconducting sphere of the radius R located
within the protoplanetary cloud acquires the magnetic
moment
M = − R3 ⋅ H
(2.2)
The energy of the superconductor in the magnetic field
is:
U H = −( M , H ) = R 3 ⋅ H 2
(2.3)
Placing the origin of the coordinates at the center of the
planet and directing the z axis along the magnetic moment
of the planet (orthogonal to equator), the expression for
magnetic energy then becomes:
UH =
R3 µ 2
(3cos 2 θ + 1) .
r6
(2.4)
Here θ - the angle between the vector r and the axis z. It
can be seen from the expression (2.4) that the magnetic
energy of the superconducting particle has a minimum
value when the radius-vector r (the position of the
superconducting particle) is in a plane of the magnetic
equator and is perpendicular to the axis z (
.
Consider now only one particle. Evidently its azimuthorbital direction trajectory (orbit) can only be disturbed by
the magnetic field. However in case of a significant amount
of particles forming the protoplanetary cloud, after a
transient time estimated as 1000 years or more, collisions
between particles will compensate their azimuth-orbital
movements, and as a result all orbits of the particles of the
protoplanetary cloud should come together to the magnetic
equator plane and create highly flattening disc around the
planet. Within the disc of the rings all particles will
become located on the Keplerian orbit where there is a
balance of gravity, centrifugal and electromagnetic forces.
At the same time orbital resonances (due to a gravity force)
between satellites, moons and the ring particles would play
an important role in forming a specific structure of the
rings and gaps.
2.2. Particle Repelling and Collision within the Ring
Width
Let’s define the energy of the interaction of two
superconducting particles with the magnetic moments
and
located at positions r1 and r2, respectively as:
U = −µ1H2 ,
(2.5)
The magnetic field H2 induced by the magnetic moment
can be presented as
H2 =
3(r1 − r2 )(µ 2 (r1 − r2 ))
r1 − r2
5
−
µ2
r1 − r2
3
(2.6)
If the particle with the magnetic moment
is placed at
the origin (r2=0) then the expression for the energy of the
interaction of two particles (2.5) will read:
U =−
3(µ1r1 )(µ 2 r1 )
r1
5
+
µ1 µ 2
r1
3
(2.7)
The planetary magnetic field in the plane of the Saturn
rings coincides with the planet rotation axis. If the axis z is
directed along the rotation axis of the planet, then the
magnetic moment of the particles will be also directed
along z. In cylindrical coordinate system (ρ, φ, z) (2.7) is:
American Journal of Astronomy and Astrophysics 2013; 1(2): 15-22


3z 2
1
µ µ =
U = −
−
1z 2 z
2
2 32 
 ρ 2 + z2 5 2
ρ
z
+
(
)
(
)


ρ 2 − 2z2
µ1z µ 2 z
=
52
( ρ 2 + z2 )
(2.8)
From (2.8) we can estimate an interaction of two
superconducting particles for two different cases. The first
one is when two particles located in the same plane within
the sombrero of the rings (z=0), and the second situation is
when two particles are located on the different planes but
on the same axis (ρ=0). For the particles with the magnetic
moments
and
located on the same plane, z=0, we
get the interaction energy as:
U=
µ1z µ2 z
,
ρ3
(2.9)
From (2.9) it follows that both particles will repel each
other and they will maintain a separate distance between
them. This result has been confirmed by the data of Cassini
mission: the particles are separated. If particles are located
on the same axis but on different planes, the expression for
the interaction energy is:
U =−
µ1z µ 2 z
z
3
,
(2.10)
Now both particles could attract each other; they could
even collide or stick together and form bigger clusters or
lumps of ice. This process has an experimental
conformation by the Cassini mission. From the data of the
Cassini mission it follows that the particles within the
thickness of the rings can collide or even stick together and
create bigger clusters of ice. Then, in the following process,
particles of 50 meters or more in diameter can be shattered
into smaller pieces by a combined action of gravity and
centrifugal force.
3. Discussion of Experimental
Observations [26-31, 36-39]
3.1. Thin Width and Sharp Edges of the Rings
Similar to the iron magnetic particles that create dense
and rarefied regions in the nonuniform magnetic field,
superconducting particles also form bands looking from
outside like a system of rings. Superconducting particles
collapse into the stable system of rings as a result of their
exchange between the areas of the gradient of magnetic
field within the plane of the magnetic equator with the
force: F = - µdH/dz, where µ – the magnetic moment of the
particle, dH/dz – the gradient of the magnetic field along
the z axis of the magnetic dipole. The force of the
diamagnetic expulsion forms sharp edges of the ring: F= µdH/dy, where dH/dy – the gradient of the magnetic field
17
along the radius of the ring. The accidental break in the
ring will be stabilized by the force of the diamagnetic
expulsion F = - µdH/dx, where dH/dx - gradient of the
magnetic field in the tangential direction. The image of the
magnetic field line deformation measured for the ring F by
the Pioneer mission looks like the image of the magnetic
field expulsed from the ring. It is of the same nature as for
the well-know case of a small superconducting ceramic
sample pushing out its own internal magnetic field, when
exposed to a liquid nitrogen temperature.
3.2. Planetary Radial Dust Flow
Superconducting material is characterized by the
London’s penetration depth λL of the magnetic field. For
particles of size comparable with the London’s penetration
depth the influence of the magnetic field on
superconductivity becomes appreciable. Smaller particles
do not couple to the planetary magnetic field because they
lose their superconductivity due to their small size. The
dynamics of these particles is different from the dynamics
of the particles with larger size, >2λL. Small particles will
fall down to the planet due to gravity. Thus, existence of a
radial planetary dust flux composed of submicron’s size
particles is related to a lack of superconductivity of the ring
particles due to their small size. It is also possible for the
particles to lose their superconductivity by collisions and
by magnetic field fluctuations.
3.3. The Azimuthal Brightness of the Saturn A Ring
Present understanding of this phenomenon is based on: a)
an assumption of a synchronous rotation of the ring’s
particles with their asymmetrical form as extended
ellipsoids directed under a small angle to the orbit; b)
existence of an asymmetrical albedo of the surface.
Consider now our model for this phenomenon. If the
superconductor is placed in the magnetic field, a magnetic
moment directed oppositely to the external field is induced.
The matter is magnetized not along the external magnetic
field but in the opposite direction. A superconductive rings
particle in the form of the rod attempts to align itself
perpendicularly to the magnetic field lines. It is a known
fact from science of ice [25] that growing snowflakes at the
temperature below - 220 C take the form of prisms. Thus,
the prism of the superconducting ice particle will be
oriented perpendicularly to the field lines of the poloidal
and toroidal components of the magnetic fields of the
Saturn. It becomes now clear that the variable azimutal
brightness of the Saturn’s rings system A is related to the
orientation of the elongated ellipsoid of the
superconducting particles versus the direction of the
planetary magnetic field.
3.4. Spokes in the B rings system
Just as any wheel spokes, the spokes of the rings are
aligned almost radially. The size of the spokes is about 104
km along the radius and about 103 km along the orbit of
18
Vladimir V. Cherny (Tchernyi): The Saturn Rings Origin: Contribution of Electromagnetism
the rings. The matter of the spokes consists of micron and
submicron size particles. There were many attempts to
explain the nature of these spokes. Generally, all the
models are based on the action of the force of gravity.
Nevertheless a different idea was put forward that the
nature of rotating spokes perhaps is related to the
electromagnetic force. Analysis of the spectral radiation
power of spokes provides a specific periodicity about
640.6±3.5 min which almost coincides with the period of
rotation of the magnetic field of Saturn (639.4 min).
Moreover a strong correlation of maxima and minima of
activity of spokes with the spectral magnetic longitudes is
connected to presence or absence of the radiation of
Saturn’s Kilometric Radiation (SKR). It enhances the
assumption of the dependence of the spoke dynamics on
the magnetic field of Saturn and testifies to the presence of
large-scale anomalies in the magnetic field of Saturn. We
can add the following explanation of it.
Superconducting ice particles of the ring matter are
orbiting in accordance with the Kepler’s law and have their
own speed on each orbit. Further, a magnetic field of
Saturn has its own anomalies along some radial direction
from the planet. When the particles enter into this
anomalous region, the diamagnetic expulsion force that is
applied to the particles changes its value. The particles
then begin to change their orbit. For the significant
number of participating particles, for the external observer,
this process appears as the turbulent cloud stretched along
the radius in the form of spokes. After passing anomaly,
particles return to their prior orbit and the common
appearance of the rings is recovered.
3.5. High Reflection and Low Brightness of the Rings
Particles in the Radiofrequency Range
This also can be explained by the superconductivity of
the ice particles. Discovery in 1973 of the strong radartracking reflection from the rings of Saturn was surprising.
It turned out that the rings of the Saturn actually have the
greatest radar-tracking section among all bodies of the
Solar system. It was explained by assuming a metallic
nature of the particles. The data of the Voyager excludes
this possibility. The disk of superconducting particles
completely reflects radiation with frequencies below 1011
Hz and poorly reflects radiation with higher frequencies, as
in the case of a superconductor. The superconductor
practically has no electric resistance up to frequencies of
100 MHz. A threshold is about 100 GHz and above. From
Fig. 1 we can see the sharp change of resistance. It may be
caused by quantum phenomena in this range. Consequently
it produces a specific dependence of the brightness.
3.6. Intrinsic Wide Band Pulse Radiation of the Rings
Data of Voyager have shown that the rings radiate
intrinsic wide band pulse radiation within the 20 KHz 40,2 MHz. These waves probably are the result of an
interaction of charged particles with the particles of ice and
friction of ice particles when the co-striking occurs. These
incidental radio discharges are called Saturn’s Electrostatic
Discharges (SED). The average period of SED is well
defined by Voyager-1, -2 in between 10 hours 10±5 min
and 10 hours 11±5 min. If the ring has a source of SED
then the area of this source can be located at the distance of
107,990 – 109,000 km from the planet according to the
measured periodicity.
Experimental data for SKR, SED and spokes activity
specify the electromagnetic coupling between the planetary
ring system and the magnetosphere of the planet. As it goes
Fig.1. The top picture is the spectral dependence of the brightness
temperature of the rings. Practically, we have a transition from blackbody radiation to almost total reflection is observed [31, 36]. The bottom
diagram is dependence of the surface resistance of the superconductor on
frequency for Nb at T=2K [Brinkmann R., Dohlus M., Trines D.,
Novokhatski A., Timm M., Weiland T., Hulsmann P., Rieck C.T.,
Scharnberg K., Schmuser P. March 2000. Terahertz Wakefields in the
Superconducting Cavities of the TESLA-FEL Linac. Tesla Reports].
from consideration of the presented electromagnetic model,
for superconducting particles approaching distance about
10-8 m or if they have a point contact, a superconducting
transition can occur, as electrons can be tunneled through
the gap. Consequently, this type of superconducting weak
link begins to generate electromagnetic radiation – a nonstationary Josephson phenomenon for superconductors.
The radiation frequency is proportional to the junction
voltage, ν=2eV/h, where 2e/h= 483,6 MHz/µV, e is the
charge of electron, h is the Plank constant.
3.7. Frequency Anomalies of Thermal Radiation of the
Rings in the Range of 100µm - 1cm
The measured brightness temperature for the short
wavelengths is less than the true brightness temperature of
the rings and, for the longer wavelengths, the rings look
much colder than in the case when the radiation
corresponds to their physical temperature. Within the range
100 µm – 1 mm the brightness temperature of the ring (Fig.
American Journal of Astronomy and Astrophysics 2013; 1(2): 15-22
1) sharply falls below the black body characteristics. For
the wavelengths longer than 1cm a ring behaves as the
diffusion screen, reflecting planetary and cold space
radiation. The central part of the spectral range 100 µm – 1
cm is the most sensitive part of this dependence which may
contain the important information for the fundamental
properties of the substance of the particles. In the
superconductor, electrons do not interact with the crystal
lattice and do not exchange energy with it. That’s why
there is no heat transfer from one part of the body into
another. Hence, when the substance passes into a
superconducting condition, its heat conductivity is lowered.
And for temperatures significantly below critical, there are
very few ordinary electrons capable of transferring heat.
3.8. Color Difference in the Small Scale of Rings
The balance of the three forces determines the position
of the superconducting particles in the gravitational and
magnetic planetary fields: gravitational force, centrifugal
one and magnetic levitation (diamagnetic expulsion), Fig.1.
Following our model, we consider a distribution of three
particles (a, b, c) with equal weights and being on nearby
orbits. Let the particles a - entirely of a superconducting
pure ice, b – the ice particles with an impurity of clathratehydrates of ammonia or methane (NH3; CH4H2O), c – ice
particles with impurities of sulfur and iron containing
silicates (H2S). Each impurity provides its own
contribution to the superconductivity phase and it will
determine the color of the particle. The force of a
diamagnetic expulsion FL depends on the volume of the
superconducting phase. Therefore for each of the
considered particles the balance of the three forces on the
orbit has a different radius.
3.9. Anomalous Inversed Reflection of Circularly
Polarized Microwaves for Wavelengths above 1 cm
The study of reflection of radiowaves with the
wavelength more than 1 cm from the rings has been made
by the ground based radar and by the space probe. The
reflection appears rather large and the geometrical albedo
is about 0.34 and it has no strong dependence on the
wavelength or on the angle of the inclination of the ring’s
pitch. So the rings are strong depolarizers. That’s why in
order to get any information from reflections
measurements it is necessary to measure a reflected signal
of two orthogonal polarizations separately. The reflected
portion of the signal of the same polarization as the
incoming signal is called the signal of “observed”
polarization. The perpendicular component is called a
signal of “unobserved” polarization. A difference between
these two signals provides information about so the called
factor of polarization which indicates polarization
properties of the object.
For the planets of the Solar system, a reflected signal of
unobserved polarization is usually small. As for the Saturn
rings, for the same range of wavelengths and angles of an
19
inclination of the incident wave, the factor of polarization
becomes much bigger. It has an explanation based on
theory of electromagnetic waves reflection from a
superconductor. The superconductor differs significantly
from the ideal conductor. It has almost infinite conductivity
and it also demonstrates an ideal diamagnetism. In case of
a reflection from the superconductive ice particle rings, it
means that if the incident wave of the radar signal with a
circular polarization has certain chirality, then the same
chirality should be for the reflected wave.
3.10. An Atmosphere of Unknown Origin at the Rings
The atmosphere of Saturn’s rings can originate as a
result of the thin balance of forces of gravitational
attraction and diamagnetic expulsion of gas molecules.
Levitation of gas molecules may be originated as a result of
its diamagnetic expulsion from superconducting particles
due to induced magnetic moments by a magnetic field of
the planet. A similar situation can be observed under
laboratory conditions when an atmospheric water steam is
precipitated on a substance as a white-frost at the transition
point of the substance from the superconducting into a
conventional state.
3.11. Existence of Waves of Density and Bending Waves
within the Rings
The existence of the waves of density and bending
waves in the Saturn rings has no complete explanation
based only on gravitational phenomena. Let’s use our
model. Note that the external magnetic field is directed
along a free surface of the diamagnetic fluid representing a
disk of the rings. Consider a localized deformation of the
disc surface at some point of the ring. It can be induced, for
example, by fluctuating gravitational forces of Saturn
moons or satellites, or due to magnetohydrodynamic, gasplasma and dusty plasma effects. Then a ponderomotive
force will be created and applied in the opposite direction
to preserve an original disc surface.
Therefore the
planetary magnetic field enhances the stiffness and stability
of the disc surface.
4. Conclusion
This paper presents an idea which assumes the rings are
formed from the particles of the protoplanetary cloud
around the Saturn. By itself, this idea is well-known.
However, the model has not been fully developed yet. This
paper proposes a novel mechanism how rings could
originate from the frozen particles of the protoplanetary
cloud after the formation of the magnetic field of the
Saturn. But for this type of scenario particles should
possess superconductivity. This suggestion makes sense
because Saturn has a magnetic field and its surroundings
temperature is low enough about 70-100K.
On the basis of the analytical discussion of these groundbased and space-based experiments it was shown that the
20
Vladimir V. Cherny (Tchernyi): The Saturn Rings Origin: Contribution of Electromagnetism
particles of Saturn's rings may have superconductivity.
Therefore, presence of superconducting substance may be
possible in the space at the asteroid belt and behind it.
Although superconducting particles can form a relatively
compact macroscopic structure formation, on short
distances however they weakly repel each other in presence
of an external magnetic field (resembling a fluidized bed).
At the beginning when idea of superconductivity of the
rings particles came to us we decided just report [26-30]
and published it [31, 36]. We remember as Pyotr Kapitsa
the Nobel Prize winner (1978) for the work in lowtemperature physics said: “The worst in scientific work is
triviality. The most important is not accuracy but novelty.
Never miss a chance of publication of new ideas.”
(Uspekhi Fizicheskih Nauk - Physics-Uspekhi. Advances
in Physical Sciences, 1994, Vol. 164, p. 1326).
But resolution of the proposed problem is based on the
solution of the task of the electromagnetic interaction of
the moving superconductive ice-carbon particles with
magnetic field of Saturn. This problem was solved in an
article using electromagnetic simulation. Finally, after
mathematical treatment of the electromagnetic model we
have received demonstration and prove of reality of the
suggested scenario of the rings origin [32-35, 37-39].
Similarly to the iron particles that create dense and
rarefied regions in the nonuniform magnetic field on the
laboratory table, superconducting iced particles in the
magnetic field of Saturn also form bands which look from
outside like a system of rings. But the difference between
these two examples is that the superconducting particles
are pushed out the internal magnetic field, it repels them,
and that’s why rings particles will not stick together.
Finally after transitional period of time superconducting
iced particles of the protoplanetary cloud would collapse
into the stable system of rings within the plane of the
magnetic equator as a result of their interaction between
the areas of the gradient of magnetic field.
Different ring systems are morphologically quite distinct
but all are shaped by a few common processes. In fact
orbital resonances between satellites, moons and ring
particles play an important role in forming a specific
structure of the system of the rings and gaps and enhancing
the influence of the satellites as well as the gravitational,
mechanical, magnetohydrodynamic, dusty plasma and gasplasma, interactions.
Also superconductivity of the ring particles may reflect
the fact that the ring particles are relics of the early days of
the Solar system and the particles were never subject to
coalescence and heating.
The presented theory of the origin of Saturn's rings from
the protoplanetary cloud based on superconductivity of its
particles is a direct continuation of the J.K. Maxwell theory
(1859). The founder of the theory of electromagnetic waves
in his award winning paper on the subject “On the stability
of the motion of Saturn’s rings”, deduces that the rings of
the Saturn cannot be solid and the rings could be stable
only if they consist of “an indefinite number of
unconnected particles orbiting Saturn in much the same
way as our Moon orbits the Earth, gravitational forces
otherwise would destroy them" [1]. Ground based
experiments and the data from Pioneer, Voyager -1, -2 and
Cassini-Huygens space missions have revealed that the
rings are composed of separate pure ice particles and ice
particles with carbon and other impurities.
Unfortunately, at Maxwell time there was no knowledge
about superconductivity (discovered in 1911) and the force
of a diamagnetic expulsion of the magnetic field from the
superconductor (discovered in 1933). High temperature
superconductivity [22] and superconductivity of ice [23]
were discovered in 1986. Superconductivity of C36 has
been conjectured in 1998 [24].
An important demonstration happened in 2011 when
physicists lead by Deutscher G. has been experimenting
with superconductors trapped in a magnetic field to
produce "quantum locking" and "quantum levitation [40]:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ws6AAhTw7RA. By
using the exceptional large scale superconductors they are
able to demonstrate a quantum effect that was never seen
and demonstrated this way. They showed how a disc frozen
with liquid nitrogen can be made to hover over a magnet in
any position. Similarly, it can “fly” over a track at any
height or at any angle. It even appeared to defy gravity as it
circled underneath the track.
The foregoing electromagnetic modeling and discussion
of the experimental data significantly strengthen the model
of a formation mechanism of planetary rings due to
electromagnetism and superconductivity. The presented
theory allows us to extend existing theories of the rings
origin such as gravitational, mechanical, magnetohydrodynamics, gas-plasma and dusty plasma interactions
in a coherent way without conflict with them.
Electromagnetism and superconductivity helps us
understand why the rings appear only for the planets if
planets are located outside the asteroid belt that have a
magnetic field and where the temperature is low enough.
Notice that for the planets located inside the asteroid belt
heat destroys superconductivity.
Intriguing fact is that presented above scenario of the
rings origin for the Saturn is applicable for the other
planets - Jupiter, Uranus and Neptune. As a result, we
obtain a unified theory of the origin of the planetary rings.
It is applicable for Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune as
the physical conditions of these planets in general look the
same – existence of the magnetic field and low temperature
environment.
From the above analysis we come to a conclusion about
the need to consider the natural superconductivity in the
Solar system space outside the belt of asteroid. It may
have a fundamental feature for analyzing data of the
Cassini probe and striking parallels to other stars system.
The force of a diamagnetic expulsion of the magnetic field
from the superconductor may be a driving force for
propagation of organic molecules within the interstellar
space by electromagnetic means, and organic molecules
American Journal of Astronomy and Astrophysics 2013; 1(2): 15-22
with superconductivity can also be contained within the
system of the Saturn rings as it is presented in [41-42].
Also as an outcome we can see that the conclusion made
by H. Alfven [5] that the “solar system history as recorded
in the Saturn rings structure” becomes a physical reality
because the proposed electromagnetic model of the Saturn
rings origin due to the superconductivity of the
protoplanetary cloud particles provides a contribution to it.
Acknowledgments
The author would like to express greatest thanks to
Evgeny P. Bazhanov, Tom V. Zaitsev, Andrew Yu. Pospelov,
Evgeny V. Chensky, Anri A. Rukhadze, Valery A. Miliaev,
Valery A. Dybov (Moscow, Russia), John R. Whinnery
and Ture K. Gustafson at UC Berkeley, Jin Au Kong at
MIT Cambridge, Essam A. Marouf at San Jose State
University, CA, James F. Spann, Robert B. Sheldon and
Konstanty Mazuruk at Marshall Space Flight Center and
University of Alabama at Huntsville, Peter Goldreich at
Caltech, Martha Pardavi-Horvath at John Washington
University and the National Bureau of Standards in
Washington DC, Yahya Rahmat-Samii at UCLA, Gary C.
Gerlach at Orion Group, San Jose, CA, Guennadi A.
Kouzaev at NTNU in Trondheim, Norway, Youri V.
Shestopalov at Karlstad University, Sweden, Pablo M.
Cincotta at IAFE, Buenos Aires, Argentina and to all
participants of the seminars and conferences: the NASA
Marshall Space Flight Center and the Huntsville Space
Physics Colloquium; the Institute for Astronomy at the
University of Hawaii; Astrophysics and the Space Research
Center at the University of California in San Diego;
University of California at Berkeley and Davis; the
Institute of Astronomy and Physics, La Plata, Buenos Aires;
Faculty of Engineering of Alexandria University, Egypt;
the Progress In Electromagnetic Research Symposium
(PIERS) organized by MIT; the 42nd – 50th SPIE Annual
Meetings; the 30th Annual Meeting of the Division of
Planetary Sciences of the American Astronomical Society
and Pulkovo Astronomical Observatory of St. Petersburg,
Russia.
21
Geometry. Nature. 292, 731-733.
[5]
Alfven H. 1981. Cosmic Plasma. Springer; 1983. Solar
System History as Recorded in the Saturnian Ring Structure.
Astrophysics and Space Science. 97, 79-94; 2011, Oct.-Dec.
D. Talbott. The Plasma Universe of Hannes Alfven.
Edgescience. 9, 5-10
[6]
Brahic A. (Ed.). 1984. Planetary Rings. Toulouse, Copadeus;
Greenberg R., Brahic A. (Eds.). 1984. Planetary Rings.
University of Arizona Press, Tucson.
[7]
Bliokh A.N., Yaroshenko V.V. 1991. “Spokes” in the Rings
of Saturn. Nature. 4, 19-25 (Russian).
[8]
Mendis D.A., Hill J.R., Ip W.H., Goertz C.K., and Grun E.
1984. Electrodynamics Processes in the Ring System of
Saturn. Saturn. T. Gehrels, M. Mathews (Eds.). University
of Arizona Press, Tucson. 546-589; 1994, Sept. Mendis D.
A., Rosenberg M. Cosmic Dusty Plasma. Annual Review of
Astronomy and Astrophysics. 32, 419-463
[9]
Morrison D., Owen T.C. 2003. The Planetary System.
Addison-Wesley Longman.
[10] N.N. Gor’kavyi, A.M. Fridman. 1994. Physics of the
Planetary Rings: Celestial Mechanics of Continuous
Medium. Nauka, Moscow (Russian).
[11] Rabinovich B.I. 1996. Magnetohydrodynamic of Rotating
Vortex Rings with Magnetized Plasma. Doklady Physics.
351, 335-338; 1999. Rotating Plasma Ring in Gravitational
and Magnetic Fields. Stability Problems. 367, 345-348
(Russian).
[12] Spilker L.J. (Ed.). 1997, Oct. The Cassini-Huygens Mission
to Saturn and Titan. NASA SP-533. JPL, Caltech.
Washington, D.C.
[13] Yokota T. 2001. Ring Simulation Experiment Using Fine
Particle Plasmas. IEEE Trans. Plasma Science. 29, 279.
[14] P. K. Shukla, A. A. Mamun, and R. Bingham. 2003.
Comment on Mach Cones and Magnetic Forces in Saturn’s
Rings. JETP Letters. 78, 2, 99–100.
[15] Rowan L., Sanchez-Lavega A., Gombosi T.I., Hansen K.S.,
Porco C.C. et al., Flasar F.M., Esposito L.W. et al., Gurnett
D.A. et al., Waite J.H., Jr. et al., Young D.T. et al.,
Dougherty M.K. et al., Krimigis S.M. et al., Kempf S. et al.
2005, Febr. 25. Cassini at Saturn. Science. 307, 1222–1276;
[16] Burns J.A., Cuzzi J.N. 2006, June 23. Our Local
Astrophysical Laboratory. Science. 312, 1753-1755;
References
[1]
Maxwell J.C. 1859. On the Stability of the motion of
Saturn's Rings. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical
Society. 19, 297-304; Maxwell J.C., Brush S.G., Everitt
C.W.F., Garber E.
(Eds.). 1983. Maxwell on Saturn’s
Rings. MIT Press, Cambridge, MA.
[2]
Safronov V.S. 1969. Evolution of Protoplanetary Cloud and
Formation of the Earth and Planets. Nauka, Moscow
(Russian).
[3]
Goldstein R.M., Morris G.A. 1973. Radar Observations of
the Rings of Saturn. Icarus. 20, 249-283.
[4]
Kaiser M.L., Desch V.D., Lecacheus A. 1981. Saturnian
Kilometric Radiation: Statistical Properties and Beam
[17] Dougherty M., Esposito L. and Krimigis T. (Eds.) 2009.
Saturn from Cassini-Huygens. Springer, Dordrecht.
[18] Cuzzi J.N., J. A. Burns J.A., Charnoz S., Clark R.N.,
Colwell J.E., Dones L., Esposito L.W., Filacchione G.,
French R.G., Hedman M.M.,
Kempf S., Marouf
E.A., Murray C.D., Nicholson P.D., Porco C.C., Schmidt
J., Showalter M.R. , Spilker L.J., Spitale J.N., Srama R.,
Sremčević M., Tiscareno M.S., Weiss J. 2010, March 19. An
Evolving View of Saturn’s Dynamic Rings. Science. 327,
1470-1475.
[19] Salo H. 2011. Twisted Discs. Science. 332, 672; 2012.
Simulating the Formation of Fine-Scale Structure in Saturn
Rings. Progr. Theor. Phys. Supplement. 195, 48-67.
[20] Lyra W. 2013, July 11. Formation of Sharp Eccentric Rings
22
Vladimir V. Cherny (Tchernyi): The Saturn Rings Origin: Contribution of Electromagnetism
in Debris Disks with Gas but without Planets. Nature. 184.
[21] Tiscareno M.S., Colin J. Mitchell C.S., Murray C.D., Di
Nino D., Hedman M.M., Schmidt J., Burns J.A., Cuzzi J.N.,
Porco C.C., Beurle K., Evans M.W. 2013, April 26.
Observations of Ejecta Clouds Produced by Impacts onto
Saturn’s Rings. Science. 340, 460-464
[22] Bednorz J.G., Müller K.A. 1986. Possible high
Tc Superconductivity in the Ba−La−Cu−O System. Z.
Physik, B. 64, 189–193.
[23] Babushkina G.V., Kobelev L.Ya., Yakovlev E.N. Babushkin
A.N. 1986. Superconductivity of Ice Under High Pressure.
Physics of Solid State. 28, 3732-3734 (Russian).
[24] Côté M., Grossman J.C., Cohen M. L., Louie S.G. 1998.
Electron-Phonon Interactions in Solid C36. Phys. Rev. Lett.
81, 697.
[25] Maeno N. 2004. Science of Ice. Moscow (Russian).
[26] Pospelov A.Yu., Tchernyi V.V. 1995. Electromagnetic
Properties Material Forecast in the Planet Rings by the
Methods of Functionally Physical Analysis. Proc. Intern.
Scientific-Methodological Conf. on Innovative Design in
Education, Techniques and Technologies. Volgograd State
Technical University, Volgograd (Russian). 75-77.
[27] Pospelov A. Yu., Tchernyi V. V., Girich S.V. Planet’s Rings:
Super-diamagnetic Model and New Course of
Investigations. 1997, July 27-Aug. 1. Proc. SPIE 42nd
Annual Meet. San Diego, CA. Small spacecraft, Space
Environments and Instrumentation Technologies. 3116. 117128; 1998, March 20-28. Planetary Rings: New Mission
Concept. Paper № 132; Possible Explanation of the Planet’s
Rings Behavior in the Radio and mm-wave Range via
Superdiamagnetic Model. Paper № 73. SPIE International
Symposium
on
Astronomical
Telescopes
and
Instrumentation. Kona, HW; 1998, July 20-23.
Superdiamagnetic Model of Planetary Rings Behavior in the
millimeter and submullimeter Range. Digest 3465 – 4th
International Conference on MM and SMM Waves and
Applications. San Diego, CA. Proc. SPIE 43rd Annual
Intern. Sympos. San Diego, CA. 172-173.
[28] Girich S.V., Pospelov A.Yu., Tchernyi V.V. 1998, Oct. 11-16.
Radar Data Explanation via Superdiamagnetic Model of the
Saturn’s Rings. Annual Report of AAS. 30th Meeting
Division of Planetary Science. Madison, WI. Bulletin of the
American Astronomical Society. 30. 1043.
[29] Tchernyi V.V., Pospelov A.Yu., Girich S.V. 1998. Studies on
the Rings of Saturn. The Academy for Future Science. P.O.
Box FE, Los Gatos, CA 95031;
[30] Pospelov A.Yu., Tchernyi V.V., Girich S.V. 1999, July 18-23.
Anomalous Inversion of Polarization of Icy Satellites and
Saturn’s Rings: Superdiamagnetic Model. Proc. 44th SPIE
Annual Meet. Denver, CO. Polarization: Measurements,
Analysis and Remote Sensing II. 1999. 3754. 329-333;
2000, July 5-14. Are Saturn’s Rings Superconducting?
Progress in Electromagnetic Research Sympos. Cambridge,
MA: MIT. 1158; 1999, Aug. 20. Are Saturn rings
superconducting? University of Alabama, Huntsville.
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville Space
Physics Colloquium.
[31] Tchernyi V.V., Pospelov A.Yu. 2005. Possible
Electromagnetic Nature of the Saturn’s Rings:
Superconductivity and Magnetic Levitation. Progress in
Electromagnetic Research. PIER. 52, 277-299.
[32] Tchernyi V.V., Chensky E.V. 2005. Electromagnetic
Background for Possible Magnetic Levitation of the
Superconducting
Rings
of
Saturn.
Journal
of
Electromagnetic Waves and Applications. 19, 1997-2006.
[33] Tchernyi V.V., Chensky E.V. 2005. Movements of the
Protoplanetary Superconducting Particles in the Magnetic
Field of Saturn Lead to the Origin of Rings. Geoscience and
Remote Sensing Letters-IEEE. 2, 4, 445-446; 2006.
Corrections. IEEE GRSL. 3, 2.
[34] Tchernyi V.V. 2002, Aug. 7. Possible superconductivity of
Saturn rings. University of Hawaii. Institute for Astronomy.
Colloquia: Spring/Summer 2002; 2006. About Possible
Role of Electromagnetism and Superconductivity for the
Origin of Saturn Rings. Prikladnaya Fizika (Applied
Physics). 5, 10-16 (Russian).
[35] Tchernyi V.V. (Cherny). 2006, Oct. 25-27. Possible Role of
Superconductivity and Electromagnetism for the Origin of
the Rings of Saturn. Proc. Intern. Conf. Fundamental
Principles of Engineering Sciences. Devoted to 90-years
Birthday of the Nobel Prize Winner A.M. Prokhorov.
Moscow. 257-259. (Russian).
[36] Tchernyi V.V., Pospelov A.Yu. 2007. About Hypothesis of
the Superconducting Origin of the Saturn’s Rings.
Astrophysics and Space Science. 307, 4, 347-356.
[37] Tchernyi (Cherny) V.V. 2009. Origin of the Saturn Rings:
Electromagnetic Model of the Sombrero Rings Formation.
Space Exploration Research. Denis J.H., Aldridge P.D.
(Eds.). Nova Science Publishers, NY. Chapter 11, 261-275.
[38] Tchernyi V. V. 2009, Aug. 3-14. Discovery of Initial
Formation (Origin) of the Sombrero Rings of Saturn: Role
of Electromagnetism. International Astronomical Union.
XXVII General Assembly. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. IAU
Sympos. No. 263. Icy Bodies in the Solar System. Aug. 6.
[39] Tchernyi (Cherny) V.V. 2013. Could Superconductivity
Contribute to the Saturn Rings Origin? Journal of Modern
Physics. 4, 6A, 17-23.
[40] Deutscher G., Azoulay M., Almog B., Deutscher B. 2011.
ASTC Conf. Oct. 15-18.
Quantum Levitation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ws6AAhTw7RA;
http://www.ahigheru.org/25/post/2013/05/boaz-almog-usesquantum-physics-to-levitate-and-trap-objects-in-midair-callit-quantum-levitation.html#.Uf1Ii9IvmdI
[41] Tchernyi V.V., Kapranov S.V. 1999, July 31-Aug. 4.
Contribution of superconductivity to possible interstellar
propagation of organic molecules by electromagnetic way.
Proc. 50th SPIE Annual Meeting. San Diego, CA.
[42] Tchernyi V.V., Kapranov S.V. 2005. Possible role of
superconductivity for simplest life propagation within the
interstellar space by electromagnetic force of magnetic
levitation. Journal of Electromagnetic Waves and
Applications. 19, 15, 1997-2006; Tchernyi V.V., Kapranov
S.V. 2005. Astrobiology and Planetary Missions. Hoover
R.B. et al. (Eds.). SPIE. 5906.